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I'm commanded to drive a truck into a building and so I do. I jump out just in time as it breaks through a window pane and drowns into a waterway under the building. Unbeknownst to me a colossal octo-pod sea creature is hiding in the water. I've disturbed him. I can see a pair of green eyes glow with rage in the dark water. I run as fast as I can keeping an eye behind me, watching as the creature swings it's powerful gargantuan tentacles up along the building demolishing it brick by brick. I dart into the forest and jump into air, flailing my arms and flying as high as I can. The monster's tentacles grow and grow just as fast as I elevate, far, far into the atmosphere and into space.
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Waking up around noon. My mom left a note on this yellow notepad paper she never seems to run out of. It says she went out to the store and to call her when I get up. But she's just arriving.
Breakfast with mom and Myra at the table: Honey Biscuits and Coffee.
My mom recalls me requiring her to butter my biscuits and dinner rolls when I was a kid. She used to joke that when I got married my line would be, "To have and to hold and to butter my roll!"
Mom and I drive into town to meet Jimmy at a diner in Lake Wales. I order a Tuna Melt with Fries, Jimmy orders a Pork Chop Sandwich with Fries, and mom orders a Salad. Jimmy catches up my mom on the comings and goings related to the church group they used to attend together. He seems natural and social, genuinely happy, like he's found his place in life. He's even lost weight, but kind of involuntarily because of the sugar levels he has to watch.
When discussing friends of theirs having health problems and getting sick, I mention somewhat sarcastically, "Well, have they been on Obamacare's marketplace website yet?"
Jimmy's eyes freeze up and he responds, "He can go take that and shove it where the sun don't shine."
[Ha-ha-ha]
Mom and I drive into the old downtown district of Lake Wales in search of any antique and thrift shops open. We find one run by a bright talkative lady. I overhear her tell a customer about a person dressed up as Santa walk into a Wal-Mart and spend over thousands of dollars paying off stranger's layaway accounts. I browse the store and collect anything I find interesting: a few records, a Diana Ross 8-track, a threaded picture of a purple lady, and some vintage playing cards.
In the car on the way home. Catching views of palm trees and interesting houses. My mom mentions her problem of being a perfectionist and always wanting to have control. I realize I share the same vice. Like mother, like son.
Back at the house. Exercising with my mom in the living room. Then preparing dinner together: Barbecue Garlic Salmon with Vegetable Medley, Tomatoes, and Rice. We enjoy the delicious meal with Myra. She still gives off this vibe of being careful not to intervene between us because she knows I only have a limited amount of time with my mom. But I'm hoping to get to know Myra a little bit considering she's been established as my mom's partner this past year.
After dinner, my mom and I sit down at the piano – digging through songbooks and letting our voices harmonize. I found an old notebook of my mom's when she used to sing in the family band back in the 70's. She sings for me acapella, songs like Helen Reddy's "Keep on Singing", Creedence Clearwater's "Proud Mary", and Elvis Presley's "Help Me Make It Through the Night". There's a special warmness to my mother's voice that will always soothe my soul.
While mom spends a little time in the bedroom with Myra I put on running shoes I brought and take a jog around the neighborhood. I can't get enough of this Floridian air – the perfect temperature.
Back inside. I settle down on the lanai where mom's colony of plants reside. She joins me. While enjoying Coffee with Pfeffernusse Cookies we engage in deep discussion and reflection on the big changes in her life this year, the falling out between her and Jimmy, and the newfound relationship that formed with Myra...
Her: "It was crazy, out of nowhere. No matter what happens I just believe Myra and I will be together. I mean we're really good for each other; we sharpen each other. She really loves me and I really love her. It's weird...to me. It's totally crazy cause I've certainly never been in this situation. I've never even had an inkling to be in a relationship with a woman."
In regards to our Christian and spiritual backgrounds my mom still fears it isn't right, biblically.
Me: "But it's right for you. I think it's a personal journey. I think if you really look at the New Testament there is nowhere that Jesus says anything about homosexuality. And don't you think if it was that important wouldn't he have taught something about it?"
Her: "Where Myra and I are right now...both of us have a desire to serve God. Both of us have the desire to search out the word of God, the communication with God...just being in a quiet place and hearing from him. We were already friends; we were spiritual friends!"
Earlier this year she had already told me about these changes going on so I was prepared before I came. But it's good to hear her describe her heart to me now.
Sleep around 3 a.m.
[i] Images by me.
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